Concession Cup.Press Releases

April 27, 2018

Charity takes center stage during Concession Cup Opening Celebration

Event raised $290,000 bringing three-year total to more than $704,000

Friday, April 27, 2018

Bradenton, FL – The Concession Cup hosted its Opening Celebration April 17 in advance of the third installment of the biennial amateur team match-play competition at The Concession Golf Club, located in Bradenton, Fla., and in addition to a memorable evening of entertainment, the Opening Celebration was a winner for charity.

Some of the highlights of the evening include an unforgettable conversation among the event's emcee and host, NBC Sports' Gary Koch, Honorary Chairman Paul Azinger and Honorary Captains Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin. In addition, team members from both the United States (US) and Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) were recognized through a team presentation.

Most important of all, the Opening Celebration was intended to provide philanthropic support to five very deserving charities: Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, The First Tee of Tampa, Paul and Toni Azinger Compassion Center (an initiative under One More Child), Rainbows (hospice for children and young people), and the Amateur Golf Alliance. To that end, this year's Celebration raised a record-breaking $290,000 on behalf of these worthy organizations. The 2018 amount equals the largest single-year donation in the Cup's history, and brings the total amount raised since 2014 to more than $704,000 for charitable causes within the Bradenton / Tampa / St. Petersburg area and beyond.

The Concession Cup, which this year was played April 19-21, delivers a world–class experience for its participants, sponsors, volunteers, attendees and members of The Concession Golf Club while showcasing top amateur golfers from around the world in the true spirit, character and competitiveness of amateur golf, all for the benefit of charity.

The United States retained the Sir Michael Bonallack and William Campbell Trophy with a resounding 23 ½ to 4 ½ victory over Great Britain & Ireland, and improved to 3-0 in the competition.

United States Wins its Third Concession Cup
With Convincing 23 ½ - 4 ½ Victory over Great Britain & Ireland

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Bradenton, FL – The United States retained the Sir Michael Bonallack and William Campbell Trophy Saturday with a resounding 23 ½ to 4 ½ victory over Great Britain & Ireland in the third Concession Cup at The Concession Golf Club.

Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C., a two-time winner of the U.S. Senior Amateur, scored the winning point for the U.S. squad with a 2-up Singles victory over Adrian Morrow. The U.S. won all three sessions this week, including an 11-3 advantage in Singles on Saturday. Stewart Hagestad, the 2016 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion, submitted the first U.S. win on Saturday, defeating Peter O'Keefe 5 & 4 in Match 3 to carry the Americans to the doorstep of victory before Simson scored a hard-fought win in Match 2 in which he trailed 1 down with three to go before winning the last three holes.

"We were worried about playing this GB&I team, but our guys played really well this week," Simson said. "Today, we were in a good position, obviously, to win, and I thought maybe I could get that winning point, which is really cool."

"These guys are so good … just a ton of talent, and they all played well," said U.S. captain Vinny Giles. "They had a good time, and that's the most important thing in these matches because it's all about friendly competition. We made great pairings and everyone likes each other. In team golf, it's all about chemistry. We had as strong a team as we could possibly put out here at this level."

In addition to Simson's comeback, USA's Matthew Sughrue pulled off what he called the biggest rally of his career, rallying from 4 down with six holes remaining by winning all six holes in a 2-up decision over Garth McGimpsey.

GB&I was led by Bobby Leopold, who took down five-time USGA champion Nathan Smith 6 & 4.

"We suffered a heavy defeat, but I have to say that I was really proud of my team for the way they hung in. And the man that plays hard today is hard to beat tomorrow," said Great Britain & Ireland captain Peter McEvoy. "It's no disgrace to have lost to a team like the United States team were this week. He [Vinny Giles] did warn us at the beginning of the week that he had a particularly good team, and I cannot believe there has ever been a better United States team representing these age groups, ever."

U.S. Extends Lead over Great Britain & Ireland
Pairings for Day 3 Singles Matches Announced

Friday, April 20, 2018

Bradenton, FL – The United States continued to be a juggernaut in the Concession Cup Friday at The Concession Golf Club, winning six of the seven Foursomes matches to extend its lead over Great Britain & Ireland to 12 ½ to 1 ½.

The U.S. team, winners of the first two editions of this biennial amateur event, needs two points Saturday in Singles play to retain the Sir Michael Bonallack and William Campbell Trophy.

GB&I had 2-up leads in each of the first two matches, and Adrian Morrow and Alan Mew of the visiting squad went on to defeat Paul Simson and Buddy Marucci, 2&1. But Americans John McClure and Tim Jackson rallied in the second match for a 3&1 decision over Bryan Hughes and Ian Crowther, and none of the other matches ended up close. The most impressive performance for the U.S. was submitted by Gene Elliott and Matthew Sughrue, 6&5 winners over Graham Bell and Ronnie Clark.

U.S. Takes Commanding Lead After Day 1
Pairings for Day 2 Foursomes Matches Announced

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Bradenton, FL – Picking up where it left off two years ago, the U.S. squad opened the third edition of the Concession Cup impressively, winning six of the seven Fourball matches Thursday for a 6 ½ to ½ lead over the Great Britain & Ireland.

Stewart Hagestad, the 2016 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion, led the surge, converting seven birdies in 14 holes in a 6&4 victory with Michael McDermott over Peter O'Keefe and Matt Clark.

"The guys played well, and this is our best format. I told the guys that last night," said U.S. captain Vinny Giles. "We're very happy with the start, obviously, but we can't go to sleep on the other side. They're good players."

GB&I avoided a shutout when Simon Richardson and Jack Gaunt gained a half-point against reigning U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Matt Parziale and 2015 Mid-Am champ Scott Harvey in the opening match. GB&I was poised for a full point, but Parziale birdied the 18th hole after sticking his 7-iron approach from 182 yards to within 3½ feet.

Bradenton, FL – The Amateur Golf Alliance (AGA) and Concession Cup announced today that the third edition of the biennial amateur team match-play competition begins at 9 a.m. EDT Thursday at The Concession Golf Club with seven fourball matches on tap.

Prior to the start of the competition, an Opening Ceremony will be held on the practice range starting at 8:15 a.m. The program will include the presentation of the opposing teams from the United States and Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) followed by featured speakers Bruce Cassidy, Sr., owner of The Concession Golf Club, Mark Hill Senior Director of Competitions for the United States Golf Association and Pete Bevacqua, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of America.

Captains Vinny Giles of the U.S. and Peter McEvoy of the GB&I team will hit ceremonial opening tee shots before the competition begins. The pairings for Day One are listed below.

COMPETITION DETAILS – MATCH-PLAY 101

United States Golf Association to support 2018 Concession Cup

Public welcome Thursday through Saturday with free admission

Bradenton, FL – The Amateur Golf Alliance (AGA) and The Concession Cup announced today the competition details for the third installment of the biennial amateur team match-play competition April 16 – 21 at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida.

Players will compete over three days through the traditional team match-play formats of foursomes, fourball and singles. Each team will be comprised of 14 players separated into three categories: six (6) Mid-Amateur members (age 25 to 54), six (6) Senior members age 55 and older and two (2) Super Senior members age 65 and older.

Match play is a scoring system in which the winner is determined by the number of holes won and not the cumulative number of strokes played. A player, or team, wins a hole when it completes that hole in fewer strokes than the opponent. A hole also can be halved if each side completes that hole in the same number of strokes. A match is won when one side leads by a number of holes greater than the number of holes remaining. For The Concession Cup, each match is a maximum of 18 holes. The winner of each of the 28 matches will earn a point for their respective team, with a half-point awarded to each side for any match that is tied after 18 holes. The winning team is determined by cumulative total points.

The Fourball matches, also known as better ball, will be played on Friday starting at 9:30 a.m. Fourball consists of two teams of two players each competing directly against each other. Each golfer plays his own ball throughout the round. Each team records the score of the team member with the lowest amount of strokes for a given hole. The hole is won by the team with the lowest score on that hole. There will be a total of seven (7) fourball matches. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

The Foursomes, also known as alternate shot, matches will be conducted on Thursday beginning at 9 a.m. EDT. This type of match pits one two-player team against another with team members alternating their shots until the hole is completed. Team members also alternate tee shots, with one player selecting to hit the tee shot on the odd-numbered holes and the other on the even-numbered holes. The Concession Cup will feature seven (7) foursomes matches, comprised of two (2) players from each team. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

The 2018 Concession Cup will conclude on Saturday, April 21 with 14 Singles matches beginning at 8 a.m. Singles are comprised of one (1) player from each team battling head-to-head.

In other tournament news, the AGA is proud to announce the support of the United States Golf Association (USGA) for the 2018 event. The USGA has approved a grant for the Concesssion Cup in recognition of the event's commitment to amatuer golf. The USGA recognizes the Concession Cup's success since 2014 by showcasing the best in amatuer golf competition and the charitable support it has generated each year the event has been played.

"The support of the USGA is a welcome addition to this year's event," said Alan Fadel, who is president and chairman of the board for the Amateur Golf Alliance and founder of the Concession Cup. "The USGA is the cornerstone of amateur golf competition, and it is truly an honor to be associated with such a world-renowned organization. The USGA's support elevates the status of the Concession Cup and brings additional national exposure. We truly value the support of golf's governing body in the U.S."

The U.S. Team won the Concession Cup title in 2014 and then retained the Sir Michael Bonallack and William Campbell Trophy in 2016 with a dominant 29 to 7 victory over the GB&I Team.

2018 Schedule of Events

Monday - April 16, 2018

Practice Rounds

Competitors from both the U.S. and the GB&I teams will arrive Monday, April 16th and will practice on the competition course, as a team, over Monday and Tuesday. The teams will utilize the practice rounds to become familiar with the course and their respective teammates.

Tuesday - April 17, 2018

• Practice Rounds
• The Concession Cup Opening Celebration

The evening of Tuesday, April 17th will be a special night for all in attendance. The Opening Celebration will feature a number of special guests from the world of golf. In addition, team members from both the U.S. and GB&I will be recognized through a team presentation. The evening will be available for sponsors and supporters to attend and perhaps most importantly will benefit worthy charities.

Wednesday - April 18, 2018

The Concession Cup Am / Am

The Concession Cup Am/Am will provide an opportunity for sponsor representatives and individual supporters the chance to play the tournament course with the competitors from both the U.S. and GB&I team

Thursday - April 19, 2018

The Concession Cup, Day 1 - Fourball Matches

The second day of competition will feature seven (7) fourball matches on Friday morning. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

Friday - April 20, 2018

The Concession Cup, Day 2 - Foursome Matches

The first day of the competition will feature seven (7) foursome matches. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

Saturday - April 21, 2018

The third and final day of competition will feature 14 singles matches. The singles competition is comprised of one player from each team in match play competition. Immediately following play the closing ceremonies will be held at The Concession Golf Club.

Am/Am event provides unique opportunity to compete
with some of the best amateurs in the world

Bradenton, FL – The Amateur Golf Alliance (AGA) and Concession Cup announced today that Honorary Captains and World Golf Hall of Fame members Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin will join Honorary Chairman Paul Azinger as the featured guests at the Opening Celebration on Tuesday, April 17, at The Concession Golf Club.

The evening will be special for all in attendance, highlighted by NBC Sports' Gary Koch acting as emcee and host, and Azinger participating in his role as honorary chairman in a special conversation with Nicklaus and Jacklin. In addition, team members from both the United States (US) and Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) will be introduced to the audience. The night's event will benefit five worthy charities – Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, The First Tee of Tampa, Paul and Toni Azinger Compassion Center (an initiative under One More Child), Rainbows (hospice for children and young people), and the AGA). The Opening Celebration will be available for sponsors and supporters to attend.

In other news, the Concession Cup Am/Am tournament will be held on Wednesday, April 18. The event provides an opportunity for sponsor representatives and individual supporters to play alongside Concession Cup competitors as well as a chance to play the tournament course with the players that will be making history during the competition.

Being played for the third time, the Concession Cup is poised to deliver a world-class experience for its participants, sponsors, volunteers, attendees and members of The Concession Golf Club while showcasing top amateur golfers from the U.S. and GB&I in the true spirit, character and competitiveness of amateur golf, all for the benefit of charity. General admission and parking for the Concession Cup is offered free of charge to the public Thursday through Saturday.

2018 Schedule of Events

Monday - April 16, 2018

Practice Rounds

Competitors from both the U.S. and the GB&I teams will arrive Monday, April 16th and will practice on the competition course, as a team, over Monday and Tuesday. The teams will utilize the practice rounds to become familiar with the course and their respective teammates.

Tuesday - April 17, 2018

• Practice Rounds
• The Concession Cup Opening Celebration

The evening of Tuesday, April 17th will be a special night for all in attendance. The Opening Celebration will feature a number of special guests from the world of golf. In addition, team members from both the U.S. and GB&I will be recognized through a team presentation. The evening will be available for sponsors and supporters to attend and perhaps most importantly will benefit worthy charities.

Wednesday - April 18, 2018

The Concession Cup Am / Am

The Concession Cup Am/Am will provide an opportunity for sponsor representatives and individual supporters the chance to play the tournament course with the competitors from both the U.S. and GB&I team

Thursday - April 19, 2018

The Concession Cup, Day 1 - Fourball Matches

The second day of competition will feature seven (7) fourball matches on Friday morning. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

Friday - April 20, 2018

The Concession Cup, Day 2 - Foursome Matches

The first day of the competition will feature seven (7) foursome matches. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

Saturday - April 21, 2018

The third and final day of competition will feature 14 singles matches. The singles competition is comprised of one player from each team in match play competition. Immediately following play the closing ceremonies will be held at The Concession Golf Club.

Created by supporters of amateur golf and conducted by the Amateur Golf Alliance, the Concession
Cup is an event designed to celebrate the game through international competition while giving back to
worthy causes. The event is a biennial amateur team match-play competition played between teams
comprised of leading male Mid-Amateurs (age 25-54), Senior Amateurs (age 55 and older) and Super
Senior Amateurs (age 65+) from the United States and Great Britain & Ireland.

The Concession Golf Club was designed in honor of a monumental act of sportsmanship in the 1969
Ryder Cup when Jack Nicklaus conceded a putt to Tony Jacklin in their singles match. That gesture,
known as "the concession," rendered the two teams tied – a first in Ryder Cup history.

PARKING

All media are directed to park in the Clubhouse Lot. A parking pass
is not required. Media must RSVP to be placed on the approved
list of attendees.

2018 Schedule of Events

Monday - April 16, 2018

Practice Rounds

Competitors from both the U.S. and the GB&I teams will arrive Monday, April 16th and will practice on the competition course, as a team, over Monday and Tuesday. The teams will utilize the practice rounds to become familiar with the course and their respective teammates.

Tuesday - April 17, 2018

• Practice Rounds
• The Concession Cup Opening Celebration

The evening of Tuesday, April 17th will be a special night for all in attendance. The Opening Celebration will feature a number of special guests from the world of golf. In addition, team members from both the U.S. and GB&I will be recognized through a team presentation. The evening will be available for sponsors and supporters to attend and perhaps most importantly will benefit worthy charities.

Wednesday - April 18, 2018

The Concession Cup Am / Am

The Concession Cup Am/Am will provide an opportunity for sponsor representatives and individual supporters the chance to play the tournament course with the competitors from both the U.S. and GB&I team

Thursday - April 19, 2018

The Concession Cup, Day 1 - Fourball Matches

The second day of competition will feature seven (7) fourball matches on Friday morning. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

Friday - April 20, 2018

The Concession Cup, Day 2 - Foursome Matches

The first day of the competition will feature seven (7) foursome matches. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

Saturday - April 21, 2018

The third and final day of competition will feature 14 singles matches. The singles competition is comprised of one player from each team in match play competition. Immediately following play the closing ceremonies will be held at The Concession Golf Club.

Major champion and 2008 Ryder Cup Captain Paul Azinger to reprise role as honorary chairman

Bradenton, FL – The Amateur Golf Alliance (AGA) and The Concession Cup proudly announced today that record-holding 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin, the most successful and celebrated British player of his generation, will reprise their roles as honorary captains for the third installment of the biennial amateur team match-play competition.

The 2018 Concession Cup is April 16 – 21 at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida, the award-winning course and club that was inspired by one of sports' most-heralded acts of sportsmanship. Known throughout history as "The Concession," it was at the 1969 Ryder Cup at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, when Nicklaus conceded a 2-foot putt to Jacklin in the final singles match that led to the first tie in the history of the matches. It only seemed fitting that this prestigious amateur team event be named in honor of that iconic moment and help perpetuate its legacy.

As part of their roles as Honorary Captains, Nicklaus and Jacklin, World Golf Hall of Fame members, will be featured guests at the event's Opening Celebration on Tuesday, April 17. The Concession Cup Opening Celebration will be a special night of commemoration and philanthropy, giving attendees the opportunity to recognize The Concession Cup's contribution to amateur golf and participate in an occasion that raises funds for charity.

The Concession Cup was created to celebrate amateur golf through the staging of a goodwill match-play competition. The event was also created to provide financial benefit to various worthy charities within the Bradenton / Tampa / St. Petersburg area and beyond. Since its inception in 2014 the event has generated over $414,000 for charitable causes.

"We are at a wonderful and important time in the game of golf, where we are all investing time and energy into initiatives that help grow this great game," Nicklaus said. "I think the world of professional golf is in tremendous shape, with a deluge of talented young players mixed with some of the great names of the last 20 or 25 years. But I think we all need to direct more of our focus on the amateur game, and any efforts to celebrate it and promote it. The Concession Cup is an ideal example of that. By bringing together some of the top amateurs from the U.S. and Great Britain & Ireland in a competitive event—one built on good will and sportsmanship—is a wonderful showcase of the game and what makes it so uniquely special."

"I am honored to again join my friend Tony Jacklin to serve as an Honorary Captain. And again, my wife Barbara and I are delighted that the game of golf is again stepping up for charity and that funds raised by the Concession Cup will go to a number of deserving causes, including the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation."

"I am delighted to be returning to The Concession Cup in 2018," Jacklin said. "It is a wonderful and unique tournament championing amateur golf. It is something I am very proud to be a part of with my close friend Jack and it is incredibly special that the course we co-designed will once again play host. Knowing that my chosen charity, Rainbows Hospice in the UK, is a benefactor of The Concession Cup adds a personal element to the event for me and my family. Rainbows do fantastic work across the Midlands in England providing respite care for families whose children have life limiting illnesses. As their ambassador, it is events like The Concession Cup that allow me to spread the word about the selfless work being done at Rainbows. I wish all the amateurs well for the event, including both captains, and hope for a Great Britain and Ireland victory!"

Tournament officials also announced today that Concession Golf Club member, Paul Azinger will return as the event's Honorary Chairman. Azinger won the 1993 PGA Championship and he served as captain of the victorious 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup team at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., another celebrated Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

"Amateur golf has always been the cornerstone of our great game," said Azinger. "I am so proud to again be associated with The Concession Cup which shines a light on elite amateur golf and provides needed funds for some very deserving charities. I am especially excited to reprise my role as Honorary Chairman. The Tuesday evening Opening Celebration with Jack and Tony never disappoints. It is a special privilege to serve as honorary chairman and I'm thrilled to be given the opportunity to support the event and the Club."

The Concession, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course designed in association with Tony Jacklin, is a nationally ranked course and club with ownership and a membership that has a history of celebrating competitive golf in its purest form. The Concession Cup is an extension of that passion.

"We're thrilled to again have the support of Jack, Tony and Paul for this year's Concession Cup," said Bruce Cassidy Sr., owner of The Concession Golf Club. "What a tremendous statement of strength it is to have these gentlemen agree to champion our tournament for a third consecutive time. Their participation increased the profile of this tremendously successful event in 2014 and 2016, and I'm confident it will have the same effect this year as we celebrate the spirit of amateur golf, April 16-21 at The Concession."

The Concession Cup will deliver a world-class experience for its participants, sponsors, volunteers, attendees and members of The Concession Golf Club while showcasing top amateur golfers from the U.S. and GB&I in the true spirit, character and competitiveness of amateur golf, all for the benefit of charity.

Players will compete over three days through the traditional team match-play formats of foursome, fourball and singles. Each team will be comprised of 14 players separated into three categories: six (6) Mid-Am members (age 25 to 54), six (6) Senior members age 55 and older and two (2) Senior members age 65 and older.

The U.S. Team won the Concession Cup title in 2014 and then retained the Sir Michael Bonallack and William Campbell Trophy in 2016 with a dominant 29 to 7 victory over the GB&I Team.

2018 Schedule of Events

Monday - April 16, 2018

Practice Rounds

Competitors from both the U.S. and the GB&I teams will arrive Monday, April 16th and will practice on the competition course, as a team, over Monday and Tuesday. The teams will utilize the practice rounds to become familiar with the course and their respective teammates.

Tuesday - April 17, 2018

• Practice Rounds
• The Concession Cup Opening Celebration

The evening of Tuesday, April 17th will be a special night for all in attendance. The Opening Celebration will feature a number of special guests from the world of golf. In addition, team members from both the U.S. and GB&I will be recognized through a team presentation. The evening will be available for sponsors and supporters to attend and perhaps most importantly will benefit worthy charities.

Wednesday - April 18, 2018

The Concession Cup Am / Am

The Concession Cup Am/Am will provide an opportunity for sponsor representatives and individual supporters the chance to play the tournament course with the competitors from both the U.S. and GB&I team

Thursday - April 19, 2018

The Concession Cup, Day 1 - Fourball Matches

The second day of competition will feature seven (7) fourball matches on Friday morning. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

Friday - April 20, 2018

The Concession Cup, Day 2 - Foursome Matches

The first day of the competition will feature seven (7) foursome matches. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

Saturday - April 21, 2018

The third and final day of competition will feature 14 singles matches. The singles competition is comprised of one player from each team in match play competition. Immediately following play the closing ceremonies will be held at The Concession Golf Club.

March 5, 2018

Bob Lewis steps down as U.S. team captain due to health concerns

Bradenton, FL –The Amateur Golf Alliance (AGA) and Concession Cup announced today that U.S. team captain Bob Lewis has withdrawn from the Concession Cup due to health concerns. The decorated amateur will be replaced by two-time Concession Cup captain Vinny Giles and the event's founder Alan Fadel. Giles and Fadel will serve as co-captains as they lead the U.S. Team in defense of their back-to-back Concession Cup titles.

"I'm extremely disappointed to withdraw from The Concession Cup," Lewis said. "However, at this time my health needs to take center stage. In turn, with the best interest of my wellbeing and the success of the Concession Cup and the U.S. team in mind, I am stepping down as team captain. Best of luck to all the competitors and special thanks to Vinny and Alan for taking the reins."

Giles's inspiring amateur golfing career boasts numerous victories, most notably the U.S. Amateur (1972), British Amateur (1975) and U.S. Senior Amateur (2009). The Virginia native was a three-time All-American golfer for the University of Georgia from 1962 to 1966. Giles played on four Walker Cup teams between 1969 and 1975, winning three times before captaining the 1993 squad to victory. He played in 11 professional majors, including the Masters Tournament and U.S. Open Championship where he was low amateur in 1968 (T22) and 1973 (17th) respectively. He has also finished as the low amateur in three U.S. Senior Open Championships (1993, 1996 and 1997). Giles was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1976 and the Southern Golf Association Hall of Fame in 1984.

"The U.S. team was looking forward to playing under Bob this April and we will surely miss his leadership," said Giles. Alan and I will strive to defend the U.S. title and bring home a victory in Bob's honor."

Fadel is the president and chairman of the board for the Amateur Golf Alliance and founder of The Concession Cup. In his home state of Ohio, he won the State Mid-Amateur Championship in his 30s, 40s and 50s and claimed the State Amateur at the age of 40. Nationally Fadel represented Ohio four times in the USGA State Team Championship, played in three U.S. Senior Opens in a row from 2006-2008, and was medalist at the 2014 USGA Senior Amateur. In 2014, Fadel was inducted into the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame and named the GlobalGolfPost.com male Amateur Golfer of the Year.

"Bob is a great friend, true competitor and model representative for the amateur game," stated Fadel. "Our thoughts will be with him as he focuses on getting healthy and returning to the golf course."

In related news, Paul Simson will replace Giles on the competitive roster for the U.S. team. Simson, 66, has won more than 60 amateur titles, including the British Senior Amateur (2006, 2008 and 2010) and the USGA Senior Amateur (2010 and 2012). Simson was also the low amateur in the 2001 U.S. Senior Open.

The third installment of The Concession Cup is April 16 – 21, 2018 at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla. For questions concerning sponsorship opportunities and general tournament information please, call (614) 764-GOLF.

2018 Schedule of Events

Monday - April 16, 2018

Practice Rounds

Competitors from both the U.S. and the GB&I teams will arrive Monday, April 16th and will practice on the competition course, as a team, over Monday and Tuesday. The teams will utilize the practice rounds to become familiar with the course and their respective teammates.

Tuesday - April 17, 2018

• Practice Rounds
• The Concession Cup Opening Celebration

The evening of Tuesday, April 17th will be a special night for all in attendance. The Opening Celebration will feature a number of special guests from the world of golf. In addition, team members from both the U.S. and GB&I will be recognized through a team presentation. The evening will be available for sponsors and supporters to attend and perhaps most importantly will benefit worthy charities.

Wednesday - April 18, 2018

The Concession Cup Am / Am

The Concession Cup Am/Am will provide an opportunity for sponsor representatives and individual supporters the chance to play the tournament course with the competitors from both the U.S. and GB&I team

Thursday - April 19, 2018

The Concession Cup, Day 1 - Fourball Matches

The second day of competition will feature seven (7) fourball matches on Friday morning. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

Friday - April 20, 2018

The Concession Cup, Day 2 - Foursome Matches

The first day of the competition will feature seven (7) foursome matches. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

Saturday - April 21, 2018

The third and final day of competition will feature 14 singles matches. The singles competition is comprised of one player from each team in match play competition. Immediately following play the closing ceremonies will be held at The Concession Golf Club.

February 12, 2018

2018 DATES SET FOR THIRD PLAYING OF THE CONCESSION CUP

Rosters released for Team U.S. and Team Great Britain & Ireland; Bob Lewis (United States) and Peter McEvoy (Great Britian/Ireland) named captains

The Concession Golf Club to host biennial amateur team match-play competition

Bradenton, FL – The Amateur Golf Alliance (AGA) and Concession Cup announced today the dates for the third installment of the biennial amateur team match-play competition. The event, featuring Mid-Am and Senior-Am competitors representing the United States (U.S.) and Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I), will be hosted at The Concession Golf Club, located in Bradenton, Fla., April 16 – 21, 2018.

The Concession Cup will deliver a world–class experience for its participants, sponsors, volunteers, attendees and members of The Concession Golf Club while showcasing top amateur golfers from the U.S. and GB&I in the true spirit, character and competitiveness of amateur golf, all for the benefit of charity.

Players will compete over three days through the traditional team match-play formats of foursome, fourball and singles. Each team will be comprised of 14 players separated into three categories: six (6) Mid-Am members (age 25 to 54), six (6) Senior members age 55 and older and two (2) Senior members age 65 and older.

The selection process for the U.S. Team was led by the AGA, an organization established to conduct The Concession Cup matches as well as other events and initiatives in an effort to promote the amateur game at the highest level of competition. The U.S. Team includes a combination of spots earned through the World Amateur Golf Ranking™ (WAGR™), as well as AGA selections, based on a list of criteria that includes results from top amateur tournaments and career performance and accomplishments. The three highest ranked U.S. mid-amateurs and senior-amateurs within the WAGR™ earned automatic spots on the team. All automatic bids for the 2018 U.S. Concession Cup Team were determined from the final 2017 WAGR™ranking.

The GB&I team was chosen in the customary way as adopted by Walker Cups and other amateur international matches. Teams are selected by a selection committee based on a list of criteria that includes performance in National and International events together with reference to the WAGR™.

In related news, the 2018 Concession Cup welcomes two new team captains to this year's event. Bob Lewis will head up the U.S. Team with Peter McEvoy taking the reigns for team GB&I. Lewis will lead the U.S. Team in defense of their back-to-back Concession Cup titles. McEvoy looks to steer the GB&I squad to victory and take the Sir Michael Bonallack and William Campbell Trophy across the pond for the first time.

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Lewis, 73, boasts numerous victories and multiple captaincies in his amateur golfing career. The Ohio native's accomplishments in golf include wins at the 1968 Ohio Amateur, 1978 Ohio Open and 1986 Northeast Amateur. Lewis also grabbed runner-up honors at the 1980 U.S. Amateur as well as the 1981 and 1984 U.S. Mid-Amateurs. He competed in three U.S. Open Championships and claimed low amateur honors at the 1987 Masters Tournament. Lewis played on the PGA TOUR from 1971 to 1974 before regaining his amateur status in 1978. He has been a member of six Walker Cup teams, four as a player, with a 5-2 record in singles and foursome matches from 1981 to 1987. Lewis then captained the 2003 and 2005 Walker Cup teams leading the U.S. squad to victory in 2005 at Chicago Golf Club.

"I am honored to serve as the US captain for The Concession Cup," said Lewis. "The spirit of international amateur competition has been, and continues to be, near and dear to my heart. This event was inspired by that spirit which makes it a perfect fit for me. I hope that the experience I have gained throughout my career as both a competitor and captain will serve our team well."

McEvoy, 64, brings a wealth of competitive golf experience to the GB&I team. He is one of Great Britain's most decorated amateur golfers. His outstanding career includes winning back-to-back British Amateur Championships in 1977 and 1978. Additionally, McEvoy represented Great Britain and Ireland as a player on five Walker Cup teams between 1977 and 1989. Additionally, he was the winning GB&I Walker Cup captain in 1999 and 2001. He also enjoyed five appearances as a player on Eisenhower Trophy teams, including 1988 when he won the individual event to go with a team victory for Great Britain and Ireland. Ten years later, he represented GBamp;I as the winning captain for the 1998 Eisenhower trophy team. McEvoy has shined during his career on two of golf's biggest stages. He was the low amateur at The Open in 1978 and 1979 and in 1978 became the first British amateur golfer to make the cut at the Masters Tournament.

"It will be a great thrill to captain team GB&I," said McEvoy. "I'm excited about the strength of our team and we look forward to the challenge of bringing home a victory. Plus, knowing that the Concession Cup is focused on giving back to charity makes my participation all the more rewarding."

Additionally, the final selection of competitors for the 2018 Concession Cup is now set. The teams include two, six-man Mid-Am (age 25 to 54) teams; two, six-man Senior teams (age 55 and older); and two Senior Amateur members, age 65 and older teams from the United States (US) and Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I).

NOTE: For more information on the field of competitors for the 2018 Concession Cup, including player bios, please visit here.

2018 Schedule of Events

Monday - April 16, 2018

Practice Rounds

Competitors from both the U.S. and the GB&I teams will arrive Monday, April 16th and will practice on the competition course, as a team, over Monday and Tuesday. The teams will utilize the practice rounds to become familiar with the course and their respective teammates.

Tuesday - April 17, 2018

• Practice Rounds
• The Concession Cup Opening Celebration

The evening of Tuesday, April 17th will be a special night for all in attendance. The Opening Celebration will feature a number of special guests from the world of golf. In addition, team members from both the U.S. and GB&I will be recognized through a team presentation. The evening will be available for sponsors and supporters to attend and perhaps most importantly will benefit worthy charities.

Wednesday - April 18, 2018

The Concession Cup Am / Am

The Concession Cup Am/Am will provide an opportunity for sponsor representatives and individual supporters the chance to play the tournament course with the competitors from both the U.S. and GB&I team

Thursday - April 19, 2018

The Concession Cup, Day 1 - Fourball Matches

The second day of competition will feature seven (7) fourball matches on Friday morning. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

Friday - April 20, 2018

The Concession Cup, Day 2 - Foursome Matches

The first day of the competition will feature seven (7) foursome matches. Three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Mid Ams, three (3) matches will feature teams consisting of two (2) Senior Ams and one (1) match will feature teams consisting of two (2) Super Seniors.

Saturday - April 21, 2018

The third and final day of competition will feature 14 singles matches. The singles competition is comprised of one player from each team in match play competition. Immediately following play the closing ceremonies will be held at The Concession Golf Club.